NAMAHAGEby Satoshi Takahashi/LightRocket/Getty Images

Japanese Traditional Namahage Festival

Japanese Traditional Namahage Festival has been passed down from ancient times around Oga City, Akita Prefecture, Japan. It was designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan as Oga's 'Namahage' in 1978.
Namahage is a figure like the demons, but is not so. Namahage is regarded as a messenger of tutelary deity. On New Year’s Eve, two or three youths of a village wearing traditional straw garments, Namahage masks, holding wooden chopping knives, sacred wooden wands and pails. They take in soul of Namahage to their own bodies. And then, they go around visiting houses during the night while calling out in this way “Are there any crying children here? Any children who don’t keep the teaching of their parents?” and “Any lazy people who neglecting their work?” They deliver an admonition against lazy people, especially for children. And they bless happiness and a good harvest of villagers for next New Year. Villagers prepare traditional dishes and Japanese sake for welcome their visit once a year.
However, the Namahage event has been decreasing year by year in many districts due to the depopulation and aging. And so the traditional folk event is confronted with severe problem of succession to future generations.